Apple announces free ad-supported iTunes Radio stations going away on January 29th, will require Apple Music subscription

In an email circulating to customers, Apple has announced that the ad-supported iTunes Radio stations available in the US and Australia are going away on January 29th. Beats 1 will be the ‘premiere free broadcast’ going forward. All other radio station features, i.e. the algorithmic stations like Charting Now or Pop Workout, will require an active Apple Music subscription.

The full email is included below …

This marks the end of iTunes Radio as first launched in 2013, which expanded internationally into just one country: Australia. Since Apple Music’s debut, all other countries have required a paid subscription to access these radio stations and will continue to do so. However, from January 29th, there will be no free riders in the United States or Australia either.

Ad-supported stations were subject to other limitations that the paid Apple Music versions don’t have. Namely, you get unlimited skips for the stations (compared to 6 with the obsolete free tier) because you pay for the rights to stream any song in their library with your $9.99/mo plan.

Removing the ad-supported stations may be part of a wider transition in Apple’s iAd department. Apple can simplify the responsibilities of the floundering iAd group by getting rid of the need for ads to service the legacy stations. Apple is reportedly transitioning iAd towards a fully automated inventory model. Earlier today, Apple announced that it is closing the iAd App Network for developers.

In short: want free music from Apple past January 29th? Tune in to Beats 1.source:9to5mac

Apple could owe over $8 billion in European taxes, new estimate indicates

Apple pays about 1.8 percent in taxes on the revenue it generates outside the U.S., not even the 2.5 percent figure normally cited, according to Bloomberg Intelligence. If the Commission finds against Apple, the company could end up paying 12.5 percent on the $64.1 billion in profits it took in between 2004 and 2012.

The Commission has been investigating a collection of multinational corporations and European governments, accusing the latter of breaking rules against state aid by offering special tax incentives to the multinationals. A recent ruling against Belgium will see a group of 35 companies pay back $765 million.

Until recently Ireland was infamous for tax loopholes allowing companies like Apple to funnel billions in revenue from other countries yet avoid paying normal local or foreign taxes. The Irish government is working to close some of those loopholes, but could still face reprimands from the Commission, which has been investigating the country since 2014.

A ruling was recently delayed and now isn't expected to be issued until at least March.

Apple CEO Tim Cook has repeatedly insisted that his company follows the law and pays everything it owes. In a 60 Minutes interview the executive complained about U.S. politicians scrutinizing Apple's tax dodges, calling the allegations "total political crap."source:appleinsider